Olympia can be a difficult place to navigate because it is schizoid. The capitol’s culture is very different from city hall’s. However, it isn’t always obvious where one culture ends and the other begins. . . until you learn the hard way. An example of this phenomenon is how political intelligence flows. Despite the decline… [Read more…]
February 27, 2012
Olympia Power & Light ran two pieces in its Feb. 22 issue that illustrate the importance of alternatives to The Olympian’s local news coverage. An “Olympian Watch” feature discussed why the monopoly daily’s coverage of the Olympia City Council’s annual retreat was superficial. Then Power & Light followed up with the first of a two-part analysis… [Read more…]
February 26, 2012
Olympian letter writer George L. Chappell takes to task an anti-gay marriage letter for being “rigid” and “intolerant.” This, of course, has fired up the 101 Fighting Keyboard Brigade. This morning Wild Child has led the charge (1,716th comment): “George, you speak of eternity with your partners, I hope you guys like hot, dark holes, one… [Read more…]
February 25, 2012
The Feb. 20 issue of High Country News has a fascinating cover story about how Arizona’s culture may have shaped the shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (subscription required). This highly-regarded publication has come a long way since it started off as a newsletter little different from Green Pages. But I could see how old-guard activists might… [Read more…]
February 25, 2012
I have on my computer screen two stories. One is an Olympian editorial extolling the virtues of the county’s Sustainable Thurston initiative. The other story is an enviro-apocalyptic warning in the Guardian that concludes by calling for a dramatic turn toward sustainable development. My first inclination would be to feel a sense of optimism that “sustainability” is becoming part… [Read more…]
February 24, 2012
EDITOR’S NOTE: Fir Grove News is an occasional feature intended to help this blog better fit into the “hyperlocal” culture of Olympia’s blogosphere. If you aren’t familiar with Fir Grove Estates, it is a semi-rural subdivision south of Olympia that still has a few token firs. Selected dairy entries, Jan. 12-July 3, 2011 Jan. 12, 2011… [Read more…]
February 21, 2012
It’s heartening to see young grads burst onto the scene with seemingly boundless hope. A deep well of naivete could be a key factor in the success of any social-change movement. But that same naivete, if clutched too tightly, can also lead to personal tragedy. Indeed, getting your heart utterly smashed could be considered an… [Read more…]
February 20, 2012
Tom Hyde’s comments in the previous post led me to an epiphany. The Cooper Point Journal has been so consistently mediocre — if not downright awful — because it is under the thumb of the maid. Unlike many student newspapers, the CPJ is not operated by an academic department — it is a Student Activities organization. A glorified… [Read more…]
February 19, 2012
Can we say in polite company that the Cooper Point Journal usually sucks? And that suckedness undercuts Evergreen’s reputation as one of the best liberal arts colleges in the nation? Hopefully the school’s new publications advisor, Reaz Mahmood, can bring some badly needed journalism trade skills to the CPJ. The weekly paper’s one bright spot has… [Read more…]
February 19, 2012
The Olympian has thrown some red meat to the 101 Fighting Keyboard Brigade. Jordan Schrader reports on a State Auditor’s whistleblower finding against the director of the Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises. The whistleblower complaint asserted that the director, Cathy Canorro, used her position to secure special privileges for a friend. The Auditor’s investigation… [Read more…]
February 28, 2012
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